In this episode of Athlete Mindset, we feature an appearance Lisa made on The Sports Backdrop podcast to discuss the mental health dynamics of youth sports, focusing on the pressures young athletes face. The Q&A style discussion includes how coaches can manage different levels of emotions among their players and the critical role of parental behavior in youth sports. This episode, "The Pressure Placed on Kids in Youth Sports," also touches on the growing trend of specialization in youth sports and the importance of teaching athletes to control the controllable.

"The Pressure Placed on Kids in Youth Sports" Topics:

1. Pressure on kids in youth sports
2. Coaches managing different levels of emotions with athletes
3. Resilience
4. Parental behavior and parental self-awareness in youth sports
5. Specialization in youth sports
6. Control the controllable

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Connect with the host & podcast production team:

Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram

SportsEpreneur: LinkedIn | X

Related content:

Youth Sports Mental Health | Parents, Coaches, and Resilience

Mental Health in Youth Sports

Mississippi State University + Dr. James Barnes | Education, Youth Sports, and Marketing Insight

Music credit: Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

In this special panel episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, is joined by four standout basketball players—Lucas Williamson, Maya Chandler, Aher Uguak, and Anaya Peoples—for a raw and thoughtful conversation in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Together, they explore the emotional weight of elite competition, personal setbacks, and the human side of sport. From dealing with pressure and injuries to navigating identity, criticism, and support systems, each athlete opens up about what mental wellness really looks like at the college and professional levels—on and off the court.

Key Takeaways from “Beyond the Game: Mental Health in Elite Hoops”

• Mental health challenges are common—even at the highest levels of basketball
• Injury, isolation, and performance pressure can weigh heavily on athlete identity
• Talking openly about mental health in the locker room builds stronger team culture
• Overseas careers bring both growth and emotional strain from being far from home
• Female athletes face unique mental and physical challenges that deserve attention
• Letting go of control and embracing uncertainty is a powerful mental skill
• Criticism is often just perspective—athletes must choose what they internalize
• Support systems like therapy, teammates, and mentors are vital to long-term well-being

Credits: Athlete Mindset is part of the SportsE Media platform.
Produced by KazCM and featured on the QuietLoud Studios podcast network.

Support the Athlete Mindset Community: Click Here to contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community.

By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!

Connect with the guest, host, and podcast production team:

• Lucas Williamson: LinkedIn
• Maya Chandler: LinkedIn
• Aher Uguak: LinkedIn
• Anaya Peoples: LinkedIn
• Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
• SportsE Media: LinkedIn | X

Related episodes to “Beyond The Game: Mental Health in Elite Hoops”:

• Overcoming Adversity: Lucas Williamson’s Journey Through Injury and Faith
• Hoops and Healing with Bianca McCall, Reach-In Now
• AthMindset | Coach Chris Meadows Talks Basketball, Development, and Mindset

Music: Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

In this episode of Athlete Mindset, host Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, sits down with professional boxer Chris Billam-Smith. Known as "The Gentleman," Chris shares the mindset that’s guided his rise from late-blooming amateur to world champion. He opens up about the power of consistency, the role of family in grounding his identity, and how he mentally prepares for the demands of the ring. Chris also discusses the importance of breathwork, emotional regulation, and the inner shift that happens when the gloves go on. Through it all, he reflects on being more than an athlete — striving to grow as a husband, father, and person.

Key Takeaways from “Chris Billam-Smith | Consistency, Character, and the Champion’s Mindset”

• Why Chris embraced boxing at 16 after years of team sports
• The power of personal accountability and control in individual sports
• His personal mantra: “Consistency Builds Success” — and how it shaped his career
• The role of family and fatherhood in evolving his mindset and motivation
• How breathwork and recovery support his physical and mental performance
• Balancing the “gentleman” persona with the inner competitor in the ring
• Lessons in humility, identity, and life beyond the sport

More about Chris Billam-Smith:

Chris Billam-Smith, also known as ‘The Gentlemen’, made his professional debut in 2017 under the tutelage of Shane McGuigan. Raised on the sunny shores of Bournemouth, the Commonwealth, British, European and former WBO world Cruiserweight Champion stands with a professional record of 20 wins, and 2 losses (13KO’s). Chris got to live out his fairytale story of becoming world champion at the AFCB vitality stadium, home to his beloved cherries in May 2023 fighting in front of all his friends and family. He dedicated his win to his mum who was suffering with Cancer at the time, as well as how wife Mia. Ambassador to the Dorset Children’s Foundation and as a supporter of the Bournemouth foodbank, Chris has just come away with a win on the huge Eubank vs Benn card, fighting at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. He now looks to become 2X world champ.

Credits: Athlete Mindset is part of the SportsE Media platform.
Produced by KazCM and featured on the QuietLoud Studios podcast network.

Support the Athlete Mindset Community: Click Here to contribute to the Athlete Mindset Community.

By supporting the Athlete Mindset community, you will contribute directly to the mental health of athletes. With your amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted. Thank You for making a difference!

Connect with the guest, host, and podcast production team:

• Chris Billam-Smith: LinkedIn | website
• Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
• SportsE Media: LinkedIn | X

Related episodes to “Chris Billam-Smith | Consistency, Character, and the Champion’s Mindset”:

• From Adversity to Aspiration: Mariah Mazon’s Softball Journey and Mental Game
• Who You Are, Not What You Do with Kelsey O'Connor
• The True Athlete Project Series: Building a Compassionate World Through Sport with Sam Parfitt

Music: Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot